Drink holder and food container

ABSTRACT

Drink holder and food container ( 1 ) comprising an upper portion ( 2 ) formed by a set of side walls ( 8 ) and a bearing surface ( 9 ) joined and connected in an articulated manner to a lower portion ( 3 ), formed by a set of side walls ( 8 ) and a bearing surface ( 9 ), wherein at least one of the bearing surfaces ( 9 ) comprises a hole ( 6 ), which forms part of the container in which a cup ( 5 ) is inserted, such that when a single container ( 1 ) contains both a cup ( 5 ) and food, the consumer can carry everything with just one hand or arm. The container ( 1 ) can be held by holding the cup ( 5 ). The hole ( 6 ) may be circular, polygonal or of different geometric shapes and is always complementary to the shape of the cup ( 5 ).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is related to a container for food comprising a hole which forms part of the container, adapted to hold a cup. In this manner, when a single container contains both a cup and food, the consumer can carry everything with just one hand or arm.

It is of particular application in the field of food industry, specifically in catering, hotel industry and home use.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today it is increasingly common to see people with an eating lifestyle wherein food is prepared and served to be consumed quickly in specialized stores, either in fast food restaurants, cinemas, theaters, concerts, etc.

It often happens that when an individual goes to one of these establishments, buys one or more combinations of food and beverage, having the disadvantage of not being able to carry everything with both hands, running the risk of dropping everything, due to the difficulty of carrying it all together, so that the customer has to find a way to transport all at once using the set of arms and body.

The object of the present invention overcomes these problems by providing a container for food comprising a hole, which forms part of the container, adapted to hold a cup.

Therefore, the present invention solves the aforementioned problems having the advantage of providing a container for food with which food and drink can be transported together in one single hand or arm, providing greater comfort to the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a drink holder and food container comprising:

-   an upper portion and a lower portion, each formed by a set of side     walls and a bearing surface, both portions joined and connected to     each other in an articulated manner,

where at least one of the bearing surfaces comprises a hole, which forms part of the container in which a cup can be inserted, such that when a single container contains both a cup and food, the consumer can carry everything with just one hand or arm.

In a preferred embodiment the hole is centered in the bearing surface, and said hole may be circular or polygonal, complementary to the shape of the cup.

There are three different modes of embodiment:

-   The hole is defined by a closed punching line, -   the hole is covered by a sheet of transparent paper, -   the hole is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory.

The container can be held by holding the cup.

In other embodiments the hole may be positioned at any offset position with respect to the bearing surfaces and may have different geometrical shapes to fit the shape of the cup.

The container may have any geometrical shape and be made of any material, the preferred embodiment being cardboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to complete the description and with the object of helping to a better understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification as an integral part of the same, wherein by way of illustration and without limitation, the following has been represented:

FIG. 1, corresponding to the first embodiment, where the food container of the invention can be seen provided with a cup inserted into the hole in the lower portion of the container, where said hole is defined by breaking the closed punching line and where a spare sheet attached at one end can be seen.

FIG. 2, corresponding to the second embodiment shows the food container of the previous figure, but in this case the hole is covered by a sheet of transparent paper which has been removed to insert the cup and therefore not shown in the figure.

FIG. 3, corresponds to the third embodiment wherein the hole has been opened during the manufacturing process at the factory. An image of an application of the invention wherein a hand holding the cup without having to hold the upper portion also with the other hand is shown.

A list of the various elements shown in the figures of the invention is provided below:

1. Container.

2. Upper portion of the container.

3. Lower portion of the container.

4. Closed punching line.

5. Cup.

6. Hole.

7. Spare sheet.

8. Side walls.

9. Bearing surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The object of the present invention is related to a container (1) for food comprising a hole (6) which forms part of the container (1), adapted to hold a cup (5). In this manner, when a single container (1) contains both a cup (5) and food, the consumer can carry everything with just one hand or arm.

The drink holder and food container (1) comprises an upper portion (2) and a lower portion (3), wherein each portion (2, 3) is formed by a set of side walls (8) and a bearing surface (9) and wherein any of the two portions (2, 3) comprise a hole (6) in which a cup (5) can be inserted.

The container (1) for food may contain chips, burgers and other fast foods to eat in the restaurant or to take away.

The hole (6) in a preferred embodiment is centered with respect to any of the bearing surfaces (9) of the two portions, upper or lower (2, 3), such that the cup (5) does not cause the assembly to lose stability.

In other embodiments the hole (6) may be positioned at any offset position with respect to the bearing surfaces (9).

Said hole (6) may have different geometrical shapes to fit the shape of the cup (5), the preferred embodiment being circular.

In a first embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the hole (6) is defined by a closed punching line (4). The small portion of the container (1) that is delimited within the closed punching line (4) is called spare sheet (7). The option of leaving the spare sheet (7) hanging or removing it entirely is up to the preferences of the consumer. FIG. 1 shows the spare sheet (7) hanging at one end.

The breakage of the closed punching line (4) is carried out by finger pressure in an easy and simple manner. The remaining hole (6) has sufficient capacity to safely hold the weight of a cup (5) with ice or other article, such as the case of bottles, etc.

In the case that a drink is not acquired with the purchase of food, the spare sheet (7) can be left without breaking in its initial configuration, that is, forming part of the container (1).

In a second embodiment, the hole (6) is covered by a sheet of transparent paper, which may be affixed to the container (1) or it may be simply broken such that both configurations allow said sheet of transparent paper to be easily removed. Obviously the hole (6) may be covered by a sheet of any other material.

In a third embodiment, the hole (6) is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory.

FIG. 3, corresponding to the third embodiment wherein the hole (6) is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory, shows how the user holds the plastic cup (5) with the hand, which is usually the heaviest portion, without having to also hold the upper portion (2) of the container.

In a preferred embodiment the container (1) is made of cardboard and is folded at the corners, thereby having the typical construction of this type of containers (1). Obviously the container (1) may have any geometrical shape and may be made of any material.

In different embodiments, the bearing surface (9) may have different geometric shapes, the preferred embodiment being flat.

The drinks that are purchased for consumption together with the food are usually sold in cups (5) of frustoconical shape. Moreover, since the cups (5) for this kind of fast food are often provided with a straw, this would allow drinking without tipping the contents out.

The present invention should not be limited to the embodiment described herein. Other configurations may be carried out by those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. 

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A drink holder and food container comprising: an upper portion formed by a set of side walls and a bearing surface, joined and connected in an articulated manner to, a lower portion, formed by a set of side walls and a bearing surface, wherein said container comprises: in at least one of the bearing surfaces a hole which forms part of the container in which a cup is inserted, such that when a single container contains both a cup and food, the consumer can carry everything with just one hand or arm, wherein the container can be held by holding the cup.
 9. The drink holder and food container according to claim 8, wherein the hole is centered in the at least one bearing surface.
 10. The drink holder and food container according to claim 8, wherein the hole is circular and complementary to the shape of the cup.
 11. The drink holder and food container according to claim 9, wherein the hole is circular and complementary to the shape of the cup.
 12. The drink holder and food container according to claim 8, wherein the hole is polygonal and complementary to the shape of the cup.
 13. The drink holder and food container according to claim 9, wherein the hole is polygonal and complementary to the shape of the cup.
 14. The drink holder and food container according to claim 10, wherein the hole is defined by a closed punching line.
 15. The drink holder and food container according to claim 11, wherein the hole is defined by a closed punching line.
 16. The drink holder and food container according to claim 12, wherein the hole is defined by a closed punching line.
 17. The drink holder and food container according to claim 13, wherein the hole is defined by a closed punching line.
 18. The drink holder and food container according to claim 10, wherein the hole is covered by a sheet of transparent paper.
 19. The drink holder and food container according to claim 11, wherein the hole is covered by a sheet of transparent paper.
 20. The drink holder and food container according to claim 12, wherein the hole is covered by a sheet of transparent paper.
 21. The drink holder and food container according to claim 13, wherein the hole is covered by a sheet of transparent paper.
 22. The drink holder and food container according to claim 10, wherein the hole is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory.
 23. The drink holder and food container according to claim 11, wherein the hole is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory.
 24. The drink holder and food container according to claim 12, wherein the hole is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory.
 25. The drink holder and food container according to claim 13, wherein the hole is opened during the manufacturing process at the factory. 